Binghamton University The Open Repository @ Binghamton (The ORB) Graduate Dissertations and Theses Dissertations, Theses and Capstones 2018 The Art of the Spearthrower: Understanding the Andean Estólica through Iconography Zachary R. Critchley Binghamton University--SUNY, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://orb.binghamton.edu/dissertation_and_theses Part of the Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Critchley, Zachary R., "The Art of the Spearthrower: Understanding the Andean Estólica through Iconography" (2018). Graduate Dissertations and Theses. 38. https://orb.binghamton.edu/dissertation_and_theses/38 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations, Theses and Capstones at The Open Repository @ Binghamton (The ORB). It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of The Open Repository @ Binghamton (The ORB). For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE ART OF THE SPEARTHROWER: UNDERSTANDING THE ANDEAN ESTÓLICA THROUGH ICONOGRAPHY BY ZACHARY R. CRITCHLEY BA, Franklin & Marshall College, 2012 THESIS Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology in the Graduate School of Binghamton University State University of New York 2018 © Copyright by Zachary Reynolds Critchley 2018 All Rights Reserved Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology in the Graduate School of Binghamton University State University of New York 2018 April 9, 2018 D. Andrew Merriwether, Chair Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University William H. Isbell, Faculty Advisor Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University Sébastien Lacombe, Member Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University iii Abstract Spearthrower devices held a role around the world as a primary weapon and tool before slowly falling out of favor in certain areas for other projectile weapons. While it is widely accepted that spearthrowers were used by the people of the ancient central Andes, comparatively little research has gone into the role that they had as weapons of war, hunting tools, and objects of ceremonial reverence. In addition, the Andes developed a unique style of spearthrower and have produced many examples of spearthrowers with exceptional craftsmanship, leading me to believe that these tools were given special reverence. This thesis compiles evidence of who in the Andes was using spearthrowers, and in what contexts, by comparing iconography to existing artifacts. It was determined that they saw the heaviest use among the coastal societies through the Early Intermediate Period and were primarily seen as a symbol in the following years. iv Dedicated to Ashley, an amazing woman who moved across the country so I wouldn’t have to do this alone. v Acknowledgments It takes a village to raise an archaeologist, and special thanks must go to everyone who had a hand. I would first like to thank my advisor, Bill Isbell, for his suggestions, advice, and direction, and for being one of the world’s most interesting people. And to Sébastien Lacombe, for joining my thesis committee, matching (if not exceeding) my enthusiasm about atlatls, and letting me keep the deerskin from Experimental Archaeology. I cannot forget where I started, so I must thank Mary Ann Levine, Scott Smith, and Sonja Schwake, who encouraged my early interest in archaeology, as well as Enrique Lopez-Hurtado, who showed faith in me in the field and gave me amazing opportunities, and BrieAnna Langlie, whose unending pools of motivation helped me with the final push to finish. I would also like to acknowledge John Whittaker for the wealth of atlatl data he graciously allowed me to use; and to Jeffrey Quilter, Laura Costello, and the staff of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, for allowing me to study their wonderful collection of spearthrowers. This could not have been completed without friends supporting me the whole way; Dan Deibler, you know what you did. My friends from F&M and my crew from BU, you’re too multitudinous to name individually but your influence is on every word here. Special consideration goes to Max Forton, Erin Whitson, Ben Kolb, Alex Velez, Jen Dunn and Amy Szen for long nights of much-needed unwinding; Alysia Leon, Rachael McKaig, and Sudarsana Mohanty, for being fantastic field partners; Pat Petkash and Cyle Abbey, thanks for being my boys; Lúcuma and Barnaby, for being real superlative cats, and Augusto Vásquez, I wish you could’ve read this. Last, but certainly not least, thanks to my parents, John and Beth, for reading me non-fiction books at bedtime, my sister, Sarah, for always letting me crash on your couch, and my grandmother June, for your constant support. vi Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Global Spearthrower Review ...............................................................................................4 Europe ..............................................................................................................................6 Oceania .............................................................................................................................8 Circumpolar ....................................................................................................................10 North America ................................................................................................................12 South America ................................................................................................................14 The Andean Estólica ......................................................................................................15 The Chaviña Collection ..................................................................................................20 Iconography Review ..........................................................................................................27 Studying Art and Iconography .......................................................................................27 Identifying Andean Estólica in Art ................................................................................32 Study Sample and Methodology ........................................................................................35 Major Themes in Coastal Art .............................................................................................38 A Brief Culture History of the Major Featured Societies ..............................................39 Moche .............................................................................................................................42 Paracas ............................................................................................................................50 Nasca ..............................................................................................................................51 Other Coastal Areas .......................................................................................................55 Major Themes in Highland Art ..........................................................................................57 Chavin ............................................................................................................................57 Wari ................................................................................................................................59 Inka .................................................................................................................................62 Other Observations .........................................................................................................63 Results and Comparison ....................................................................................................67 Discussion ..........................................................................................................................73 Handlepieces ..................................................................................................................73 Gender ............................................................................................................................75 Value and Status .............................................................................................................77 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................80 Works Cited .......................................................................................................................83 vii List of Tables Table 1. Breakdown of Handlepiece Imagery ...................................................................74 viii List of Figures Figure 1. Anatomy of a spearthrower (Illustration and photo mine; Courtesy of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University: 46-77-30/6858) .5 Figure 2. Moche (left) and Chimù gilded spearthrowers (Museo Larco ML100186 and Dumbarton Oaks PC.B.454) ..............................................................................................18